A Vegetarian Jesus?
Do you believe Jesus was a vegetarian? There are a variety of books advancing the argument that Jesus was a vegetarian, as will be explained in a moment. However, whether Jesus was or wasn’t a vegetarian, Christians today should be.
For more on this argument, please read the question that begins, “I believe the Bible is literally true…” and the one beginning “I understand that many Christians embrace veganism…” The basic argument for a vegetarian Christ: The Garden of Eden, God’s perfect world, was vegetarian (Gen. 1:29-30). Immediately, God calls this ideal and non-exploitative relationship “good” (Gen. 1:31). This is the one time when God makes such a statement. There follow many years of fallen humanity, when people held slaves, waged war, ate animals, and committed various other violent acts. Although there are passages in the scriptures that endorse eating animals, war, slavery, polygamy, animal sacrifice, and other practices that most people find immoral, these passages are a representation of what existed as a part of fallen humanity, not of God’s ideal plan or vision.Despite the fall, the prophets tell us to expect a new age, a return to Eden, God’s peaceable kingdom, when even the lion will lie down with the lamb and there will be no bloodshed or violence at all, “for the Earth will be filled with the knowledge of God” (Isaiah 11).
If Jesus is “the new Adam,” who returns us to the Garden of Eden, as Christians believe, and if he is “the Prince of Peace” described in Isaiah 11, who ushers in God’s new (and vegetarian) vision, as Christians also believe, it would be inconceivable for him to dine on animal carcasses. And in fact, the evidence is convincing that the historical Jesus was a vegetarian. There were many faith-based vegetarians Jews in Jesus’ time, for the same reason there remain so many today (visit www.JewishVeg.com for more on Judaism and vegetarianism). They understood that God’s ideal was the vegetarian Garden of Eden depicted in Genesis and the Peaceable Kingdom described by the Prophets.
Three issues that distinguished the Jewish religious sects that advocated living the vegetarian ideal on Earth were: 1) baptism, in place of animal sacrifice, for forgiveness of sins; 2) opposition to selling animals for slaughter in the temple; 3) celebration of the Passover with unleavened bread, rather than lamb.
In Jesus’ day, preaching baptism for forgiveness of sins in place of animal sacrifice placed one clearly among the vegetarian sects of Judaism who were attempting to usher in the new age of Isaiah 11. It would not have been lost on anyone in first century Palestine that John, who came to “prepare a way for the lord,” was baptizing people, not sacrificing animals. Isaiah 11, of course, declares that God’s will is for compassion, for an age when even the lion lies down with the lamb, and there is no bloodshed at all. For example, Luke explains that “the will of God” is Baptism for forgiveness of sins, “whereas the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, in not letting themselves be baptized, ignored this will of God.” Thus, John preached baptism for forgiveness of sins, Jesus was baptized, and the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles all clearly and consistently advocate baptism.
For the Jews who were not vegetarians, animal sacrifice was the way to forgiveness (and of course, after the sacrifice, the animal was eaten), but for the vegetarian Jews, baptism was advocated. Complementing the new focus on baptism were opposition to the Temple, where the animals were sacrificed, and celebration of Passover without the lamb (slaughtered sacrificially in the Temple). In fact, Jesus rails against the Temple, and his single act of direct confrontation with the authorities is in the Temple, the slaughterhouse of first century Palestine, when he engages in direct action by casting out all those selling animals for sacrifice. We can debate his reasons, but the practical effect was a Jew preventing others Jews from engaging in the Passover slaughter they felt was called for by God. Clearly, Jesus rejects this notion, claiming twice that they should all learn the meaning of Hosea when he says, speaking for God, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Additionally, there are no scriptures in which Jesus eats lamb, which he would surely have eaten at Passover, had he not been a vegetarian.
Vegetarian Jews, as one significant aspect of their faith, celebrated a perfectly orthodox vegetarian Passover. We see Jesus eating on the Passover exactly twice, and neither time is lamb involved. John places the first multiplication miracle on the Passover, yet the disciples ask Jesus only, “Where will we buy enough bread to feed all these people?” giving not even a thought to lamb, which would have been eaten had they not been vegetarians opposed to animal sacrifice.The last supper was a Passover meal and was also, apparently, vegetarian. The non-vegetarians ate lamb at the Passover, but the vegetarians ate only unleavened bread as, it seems, did Jesus. One final point to make is that many Christians of the first three centuries, including all of the “Desert Fathers,” were vegetarians and that they continued, despite being Jewish, to celebrate the Passover with bread and wine, not lamb’s flesh. It would be strange indeed for the first Christians to have adopted a diet not followed by Jesus himself.
The Fish Stories: In fact, the only scriptures that depict Jesus eating or providing meat of any kind involve fish: Post-resurrection, Jesus is depicted as eating fish with the disciples; during his life, he is depicted multiplying loaves and fishes to feed the peasants who have gathered to hear him preach.
For additional analysis of these stories, please read the answer to the questions that begin “Doesn’t Jesus eat fish…?” and “I believe that the Bible is literally true…” From the perspective of the scholars who argue that Jesus was a vegetarian, the above arguments warrant a reconsideration of the fish stories. Thinking about these stories in the light of all the evidence that Jesus was a vegetarian who took compassion for animals very seriously, it helps to remember that Jesus probably spoke in Aramaic, the Gospels were written generations after the resurrection in Hebrew and Greek, and the earliest versions we have are Greek translations and transcriptions from the fourth century–more than 300 years, two translations, and many transcriptions post-resurrection. None of the four Gospel authors ever met Jesus. Most scholars agree that the post-resurrection stories of Jesus eating fish were added to the Gospels long after they were written, in order to settle various schisms in the early Church. (e.g., the Marcionites and other early Christians believed that Jesus did not actually return in the flesh. What better way to prove that he did than to depict him eating?)
The scribes who added the stories were not, apparently, averse to eating fish. But since this is the only depiction anywhere in the Gospels of Jesus eating any animals at all, and in light of all the additional evidence, above, it seems clear that Jesus was. Although it would not contradict the technical definition of a vegetarian to multiply fishes who are already dead to feed people who eat aren’t opposed to eating fish (vegetarianism is based on compassion, not dogma), there are some interesting points to notice about this story.
First, the disciples ask Jesus where they will get enough bread to feed the multitudes, never even thinking of buying fish or other animal products, and never suggesting a fishing expedition, despite being beside a sea. Also, evidence indicates that the story of the loaves and the fishes did not originally include fish. For example, the earliest (pre-Gospel) accounts of this miracle do not include fish, and Jesus, when he refers to it, refers only to the bread (e.g., Mt 16:9-10, Mk 8:19-20, Jn 6:26). Fish were added to the stories by Greek scribes, probably because the Greek word for fish, ixous, is an acronym for the phrase “Jesus Christ Son of God Savior.”
Indeed, the fish is still a symbol of Christianity today. In this very likely interpretation, the multiplication represents a prediction of the burgeoning Church, Jesus making his disciples? fishers of men? as he promised, and has nothing to do with eating animals. Also, some scholars contend that the Greek word for “fishweed” (a dried seaweed) has been mistranslated in this story as “fish” (see Rosen, Scholarly Works). It is certainly true that dried fishweed would be more likely in a basket with bread, and fishweed remains a popular food among Jewish and Arab peasants like the people to whom Jesus was speaking.
So what did Jesus definitely have to say about fishing? Jesus calls multiple fishermen away from their occupation of killing animals and pleads with them to show mercy to all beings, quoting Hosea: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” In each instance, they immediately abandon their occupation of fishing to follow Jesus (e.g., Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 5). This resembles Jesus’ call to tax collectors, prostitutes, and others, who are engaged in activities that are not in line with his message of mercy and compassion. Conclusion: The evidence that Jesus was a vegetarian is strong, and the evidence that he would be one today is irrefutable. Quite simply, it is impossible to imagine Jesus paying people to treat God’s creatures like so many boxes in a warehouse, genetically manipulating and mutilating their bodies, pumping them full of hormones and antibiotics so they will live through the cramped and miserable conditions in which they’re kept, trucking them to slaughterhouses through all weather extremes with no food or water, and then hanging them upside down, slitting their throats, and hacking off their limbs, often while they are still conscious. For more information on the total denial of God represented by the meat industry today, visit PETA’s vegetarian and pro-fish Web sites.
Source: http://www.vegfriend.com/profiles/blogs/a-vegetarian-jesus
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Every religion or spiritual path has supporters and detractors. But when we talk about the animals, every religion should have the same thought and practice empathy toward animals. This is because animals are helpless and human should help them and not mistreat or harm them due to selfishness.
Now, there are so many evidence indicates that Jesus was a vegetarian and kind to animals. Jesus even asked the fishermen to quit their occupation in order to stop killing the animals but to show mercy to all beings. Since Jesus showed his kindness toward animals, the followers should listen to the advice of Jesus and be kind to animals too.
It is an interesting article about Jesus being a vegetarian and so many evidence to support this findings. No matter what religion we are, if we want to promote love, care, compassion and equality, we should support vegetarianism. How can eating meat promote all the good values mentioned since we are already discriminating animals who are to serve human. And needless to say all killings create pains and suffering to all beings. Hope more people realise that vegetarianism is the best method to practise compassion and love.
I’m glad to read this possibility. It is only logical that Jesus would be a vegetarian since he is all compassionate love. I remembered vaguely when I was young I use to see images of Jesus holding a baby lamb. So what exactly happened to the lamb if he was a meat eater?
How could someone with so much love and kindness kill his food? And I have always wondered are they for real, when those who would like to justify their meat intake would turn around to say that Jesus/God said they have the right to eat. I guess it’s another form of human’s tricky mind games to get away from what they wish they can get away with. If we truly are compassionate, and we claim to love animals, we would start with our palate first.
It should be natural for an attained practitioner, regardless his faith or belief, to reduce or abstain from the consumption of meat. Consuming meats mean taking the life of another sentient being. How can one who had developed loving kindness towards all sentient being to sit in silence knowing that food on the table are the cause of suffering for another sentient being?
When one becomes a vegetarian, it does not mean that no animals are harmed any more. It means that less animals are being hurt to satisfy our insatiable taste bud. If we are serious about developing loving kindness and compassion, this is the least we can do – become a vegetarian.
Thank you Rinpoche for this blogpost. I hope more people will consume less meat to lessen that the causes of suffering for animals.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
Yes. Jesus MUST have been vegeterian according to his first principle of NOT TO KILL. Although nowdays most buddhist monks never respect such a law…at least here in Thailand as I see. I also eat meat for extreme survival knowing it does add+ to my karma load.
this doesn’t say anything about Jesus being strictly vegetarian I have read however in “The Buddha also said” that Jesus was not less enlightened because he ate meat it was just that he was not that character and for Osho he said that for his ashram it was purely a matter of aesthetics, who just happened to be quoted as the most dangerous person alive since Jesus Christ. He also said that it was not necessary to take medication in that studies show water is just as effective…and that it was not true how Jesus actually turned water into wine as we think about it today, actually it is just that he would drink the water like it was wine! And that Osho actually thought it gave him creative inspiration for his poetry. Much Love.
Very illuminating article.I think it sad that religions today do not teach against cruelty to ALL our fellow beings. Do they think Man is the only soul here? In fact, religion generally encourages killing and eating meat. There is also the disgusting matter of religious sacrifice of animals such as in Nepal as well as the hell of Factory Farming. Even many Buddhists still eat meat (which means killing beings) which I believe is a contradiction of Lord Buddha’s teachings that we should not kill. Oh to have a meatless world. I am sure it would change Man’s attitude for the better – and animals would appreciate it also.
Thank you for your Teachings. I watch your videos and follow on Twitter
James Larkin
I did not know that Christians were vegetarians originally. It is a shame that they changed. I think that God never meant for his creations to be eaten. Thank you for sharing this information!
耶稣吃不吃素已经不重要了，可贵的是The Karmavore 因为仁波切在部落格分享了素食进而让他成为素食者，这才是真真让人鼓舞的，总比那些被劝说茹素而诸多理由来推唐的好。
Dear Rinpoche,
Spiritists (those who follo doctrine codified by Allan Kardec, which can be summarized as “without charity there’s no salvation” probably follow the veganism or vegatarianism. Here’s example of what they are being taught:
“Begin the renovation of your customs by the meal of every day. Gradually
diminish the voluptuousness of eating the meat from animals. The cemetery in the stomach is a torment after the big transition. The pork loin or the veal beef, seasoned with salt and pepper, do not situate us very far from our forefathers, the
Indian tribes, who would devour one another. The stimulants largely consumed constitute another dangerous obsession.
I have seen many souls of an apparently distinct origin, willing to exchange one’s own Heaven for the aristocratic whiskey or for our Brazilian cachaça. As long as it is possible, avoid the abuses of smoke. The apprehension of the disincarnates who love nicotine is pitiful. Do not render yourself to the temptation of narcotics. No matter how afflictive the different stages of the crisis in your body, strongly withhold the blows of the fight.”
Full message below
Practice for Death
Preoccupied with the survival beyond the grave, you ask astounded, how a human can be taken to an effective training for the surprises of death. The inquiry is curious and really makes one think. For now, however, I believe that it is not easy to technically prepare a friend in relation to the infallible peregrination. The tourists that come from Asia or Europe prepare future travelers with efficiency, since they do not lack the necessary analogical terms. But we, the disincarnated, run into insurmountable obstacles. Usually, religion should orient the realizations of the Spirit in the same manner that Science directs all the topics pertinent to material life. However, religion remains attached to the priestly superficiality, up to a certain point, without touching the depths of the soul. It is important to also consider that your consultation, instead of being taken
to the great theologists on Earth, now living in the Spirituality, was addressed simply to me, simple newspeople with merits to deal with similar inquisitions. You can believe that despite finding myself here once again, after nearly twenty years of contact, I still feel in the scare of a native, repeatedly being brought from the jungle of Mato Grosso to some of our Universities, with the obligation of affiliating myself, unexpectedly, to the most elevated studies and to the most complicated disciplines. Because of this, I cannot present any other than my own point of view, with the deficiencies of the savage surprised when encountering the essence of Civilization. Firstly, I admit the need to refer to our old bad habits. Here, the
crystallization of these habits is a tyrannizing plague. Begin the renovation of your customs by the meal of every day. Gradually
diminish the voluptuousness of eating the meat from animals. The cemetery in the stomach is a torment after the big transition. The pork loin or the veal beef, seasoned with salt and pepper, do not situate us very far from our forefathers, the
Indian tribes, who would devour one another. The stimulants largely consumed constitute another dangerous obsession.
I have seen many souls of an apparently distinct origin, willing to exchange one’s own Heaven for the aristocratic whiskey or for our Brazilian cachaça. As long as it is possible, avoid the abuses of smoke. The apprehension of the disincarnates who love nicotine is pitiful. Do not render yourself to the temptation of narcotics. No matter how afflictive the different stages of the crisis in your body, strongly withhold the blows of the fight. The victims of cocaine, of morphine, and or the sedatives take a long time in the dark cell of thirst and inertia. And sex? Take much care in the preservation of your emotional balance. Here, there are many people carrying with them a hell which is disguised as “love.” If you have some money or some terrestrial possession, do not postpone donations if you are really inclined to make them. Significant humans, who we admired in the world for their ability and power used to perform important deals, very often, when close to us, seem like desperate children since they can no longer use checkbooks. In the family, be careful with your living will. Culminating sicknesses happen suddenly, and if your paperwork is not ready, you will sustain many humiliations through the courts and notaries.
Above all, do not exaggeratedly attach yourself to your blood ties. Love your wife, your kids, and your family with moderation, sure that one day you will be absent from them and that because of this, they will nearly always act in disaccord with your will although they respect your memory. Do not forget that in the present state of terrestrial education, if some loved ones register your presence beyond the Earth, after the funeral, they will surely sway you into descending to hell, alerting the inopportune return. If you already possess the treasure of a religious faith, live according to the precepts that you embrace. The moral responsibility of someone who already knows the way but does not balance oneself within it is terrible. Do the most good possible, without the preoccupation of satisfying everyone. Convince yourself that if you do not experience sympathy towards certain individuals, there are many people who could not stand you without much effort.
For this reason, in any circumstance, maintain your noble smile. Always work, work incessantly. The service is the best dissolvent of our anguishes. Help yourself through the loyal fulfillment of your duties. About other questions you may have, do not be excessively concerned, since sooner or later death will offer you your visitation card, imposing on you everything that for now I cannot not tell you.
XAVIER, Francisco Cândido. Cartas e Crônicas. Through the Spirit Brother X (Huberto Campos). 9. ed. Rio de Janeiro: FEB, 1996, p. 21-24.
Taken from: http://www.spiritisteducation.net/Spiritist_Education/Adults_files/P1_U45.pdf
I think the debate on wether Jesus was a Vegitarian is, neither this nor that. If you ever read the bible Jesus taught like a buddhist or a yogi. Much like man does man took what he taught and twisted it. If you ever have the chance to read the new testement and the forbidden books of the bible(as a book) you’ll see what I mean. There are some who beleive that the three Wise men from the east may have been Lamas or Yogis searching for a reincarnated teacher. If this was the darkages I would be called a hertic. But that to in neither this nor that. What is important is we learn from Buddha and Jesus and others that taught how important prayer is, to be compassionate towards all beings, to sacrafice our selfs for others, not to judge one another but to love one another, To be mindful of our thaughts and how we treat one another and in this day and age with the world in such disaster wether it be man made or natural we all really need to follow these great saints and stop debating on such small matters. Love, peace, and happiness to all may you all reach enlightenment for the sake of others and may some day i learn to spell Good day and blessings to all.
It is no surprise Jesus is a vegetarian as peace is an universal religion. Promoting peace means no harming or violence among all living beings.
As far as I know, Catholics are vegetarians particularly on Friday. I am not too sure what is the reason. However, Catholic vegetarianism excludes all meats except fish. That’s still a positive step towards non harming of animals. I believe that Jesus would have been vegetarian as in completely meatless if he was alive and saw the amount slaughtering that human kind perpetrate on farm animals today. I believe that Jesus was a Bodhisattva and that he wouldn’t have condone all that needless suffering. Jesus was kinda of a revolutionary for the Jews just like how Buddha was revolutionary to the Hindus. He taught love, forgiveness and kindness of God. I believe that vegetarianism is very much in line with the spirit of Jesus Christ even if there’s no proof that he ever talked about vegetarianism.
It would just be great if all Christians are able to read this article. So many of my friends had been telling me that it is alright to eat meat. If in the past the main source of food is meat, yet Jesus can still be a vegetarian, there would not be any excuses for any other Christians that are living in the society today where vegetarian food can be found almost everywhere.
It is very enlightening to know that there is strong evidence Jesus is very a vegetarian himself. There is very little mention of eating meat. Even the word fish is used in a different context and not an actual fish itself. It is very dangerous the take words to literally. The encouragement to take meat and furthermore supporting with scriptural reference is totally profit oriented, there is no whatsoever good motivation behind it. It is in fact using religion for profit.
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing this amazing article for us…
All sentient beings have their right to stay on this world, may more and more peoples be Vegetarian as soon possible hence reduce their negative Karma by being Vegetarian…
Hallelujah and Om Mani Padme Hum!!! What an incredible insight… Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this. My own thoughts sometimes reGarding claims in the Bible about Jesus who declared He is the only Way was at that time the region was so degenerate the people could not even see the wood for the trees let alone thinking of salvation. Jesus who has the skilful means of a Bodhisattva and is a Bodhisattva can therefore be the only one at that time to show the people the way of the Noble Truth and to rid themselves of Attachment, Aversion and Ignorance. I am definitely going to share this article with my Christian friends.
Yes, not only the community at Kechara House, but also including those those outside Kechara house, like those local and foreign international readers of Rinpoche’s Websites! Many have also succumbed to Rinpoche’s clear and compassionate teachings influence and have abandoned the eating of meat to avoid killing and the infliction on the sufferings of animals. Rinpoche is correct in saying that no matter what religion we belong to, we should have the kind heart to feel and understand the pains and sufferings that “these God’s creatures” have had to endure just to be cut-up or slaughtered to feed our attachment to meat, with their flesh and internal organs! Many around the World have written to Rinpoche on their having given up or reducing meat eating as a result of Rinpoche’s Blog on the meat-eating phenomena. Thank you Rinpoche for your most compassionate deep-concern and true love for the animals. Om mani padme hum!
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article with us. The evidence is clear that Jesus was a vegetarian. Being ‘Son of God”, he spoke up for God to say:”I desire mercy not sacrifice’.
Acts of Jesus eating and “multiplying’ meat/fish in performing of miracles,appear to be illogical and unclearly and mistakenly reported. Take the case of Jesus multiplying fish and bread to feed the poor and hungry. This appears to be the product of mis-translations and also the product of greed.
Then there is the case of Jesus rejecting slaughtering of lamb and other animals for the Passover. Also no scriptures have reported him his eating meat, especially lamb, at Passover.
All in all,being the compassionate being that he is, it does not sit well with the image of Jesus eating meat.
Dearest Rinpoche, I really like this very much Thank you very much for sharing this. Actually in many parts of the bible the old testament did mention about vegetarian food and the grains. (Even when God bought the Israelites out of Egypt he provided vegetarian food (manna), but they cried out for flesh. Exodus 16:4-8) Actually god provided everything for mankind but still cry for meat. There is a group of SDA’s (7th day adventist) who are vegetarian and followed the teachings in the old testament closely. I was trying to share with my friends about vegetarian with my christian friends. Now I have more to share.
Thank you very much.
This was a very interesting read, I would like to think so. He was thought to be a very loving and compassionate being for all of god’s creatures, i do not believe he thought they were meant for slaughter to feed us but to teach us kindness, love and respect. To practice what many may seem to see as what is below, why not practice to see animals to be the same as them living on the same earth, to me thats what should be part of religion. Religion teaches to be better people of society, showing kindness, love and compassion for others, it should be towards animals as well. What makes them think animals were for our meals, entertainment or even an “object” to reflect our anger on. I think many of us should rethink of our ideas to what animals are for and that instad we should just love and care for them. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us this article, I hope Rinpoche is feeling well.
Interesting notions, I would not be surprised that he was. I recently found out Rumi Jalaludin one of the great Sufi Mystics was known to be a vegetarian. Animals who are killed have all sorts of emotions going through their blood, and if we eat such animals, their emotions can become ours and affect us. So higher states of spirituality I don’t think it matches the death of animals.
耶稣基督圣人是素食者吗？ 见仁见智，但以我想法耶稣基督应该是素食者吧。因为多数的圣者都是提倡博爱和大爱，慈悲为怀。我相信耶稣基督是素食者。
谢谢仁波切的分享，祈请您长驻在世，常转法轮。
感恩仁波切的分享与开示
虽然我的英文不是很好，有时候更需要用Google 翻译来阅读仁波切的博客 🙂
但是仁波切的博客的确帮助到我们，也给予我们很多娑婆世界里的答案与指引，指引我们离苦得乐
很感动The Karmavore在这里的评论，随喜他的转变与因阅读仁波切的博客而得到了解答与帮助，与满满仁波切的加持与祝福
我相信，还有很多很多的人都同样的在仁波切的博客里，得到了帮助与因仁波切广大的开示而解答了我们许多的迷思，并开始转变自己的心识，开始变的更好，开始累积很多的福德资粮，然后离苦得乐
感恩仁波切您伟大的教育，教育我们
祈请您长驻在世，常转法轮，身体没有任何的病痛，所有的佛法宏愿，法喜圆满
向您顶礼
Think you Rinpoche for sharing this blog post with us. It is no doubt about it Jesus is a vegetarian because he is such great religion master he would have high attainment and reliazation, he should set as a good example to be kind and compassion to all living being .
With folded hands
Shelly tai
Dear Rinpoche, If Rinpoche was be able to find out that Jesus was a vegetarians. Then it must have mean that Christians must have also know that Jesus was vegetarian. But if they know that Jesus was a vegetarian then why don’t they choose to become vegetarian if they believe in Jesus that much? I think the half of the human population in this world are Christians, I’m thinking that if all Christians becomes vegetarian. Then think about how many lives will be saved?
No offence but let me clear up some thoughts on why Christian eat meat. Animals are thought to be ‘ created’ by God for us. Thus, we are like master to them. Meaning, we can do anything to them, to be our slaves , our food and etc. Without thinking twice, we are so used it. Even those gatherings that we used to have also have meat. Besides, animals are being offered to God. Like the story in Abraham and Isaac. Instead of sacrifing Isaac, a sheep or ram being sacrificed ( just like most of the ‘ so call Buddhists did!). I still remember at one point, some of us , church members, did raise up the question on eating pork as pigs are term ‘dirty’ animal in the bible…. Only one thing that can explain all this , that is IGNORANCE which causes all the delusions. I am truly happy for this person, the Karmavore.He/She inspired me to reply this courageously. But I do hope instead of pointing fingers to Christian, actually many others religion are the same. I hope this will clear up some doubts that you have.
I believe attachment to the desires of this world is much stronger than the desires to let go. Hence people make excuses to justify their own actions. Like you rightly said this is all due to Ignorance.
Thank you for sharing.
I come from a family that is Christian and all eat meat eaters. The thought of considering a vegetarian diet has never come up in the history of my family. I’m the only person in my family that has changed to a vegetarian diet since July 1st 2013 just from what I’ve read on Tsem Rinpoche’s blog. Thank you for sharing all the information on vegetarianism with me and pushing me to change myself. I changed to vegetarianism overnight and it sent a shock throughout my social circles!
I didn’t even know how ignorant I was of whats going on in the world and how much of a part of the problem I was. Now I’m part of the solution.
Often when I’m eating vegetarian meals at my home, my family tries to push meat onto my plate stating that “I’m not getting enough protein and there is nothing wrong with eating meat”. They often tell me that “Jesus Christ ate meat in the Bible”. Sometimes a small unheated debate follows. I’m grateful for this blog post because it’s something that I can show to my Christian family so they can make a wise decision for themselves and at least they will have something good to think about.
In my family its “what the Bible says or the highway”. It’s everyone’s choice. Now I have some good evidence to show them from the Bible that Jesus was a vegetarian and its their choice to follow or not. It never made any sense to me that an awakened and compassionate Jesus Christ would set an example for the people to eat slaughtered meat.
I’ll finish my reply with this…
Tonight is Thanksgiving holiday in Canada. More than 48 million turkeys will be served for dinner on Thanksgiving holiday in America and Canada combined. Contemplate it overnight and really wake up!
Thank-you for reading my little ramble. My intention is not to put anyone down or above another. I respect everyone equally.
Dear Karmavore,
I like very much what you shared here. I found it interesting to read your point of view and what you went through in your home.
1. My upbringing was a Buddhist one. And being of a Tibetan-Mongolian ancestry, meat was essential to our family, upbringing and community. How Buddhists come to terms with eating meat is very interesting in my household. They just didn’t deal with it. They just ate the meat. My parents would buy horses home (New Jersey, USA) and slaughter it in the garage themselves. The whole garage would be bloodied. Then proceed to chop and pack the meat away for the ‘winter’. We lived in a community of many Mongolians in town. They would gift this fresh meat away to happy recipients. I was not allowed to witness the slaughter although they said there was nothing wrong with it. They also loved freshly slaughtered sheep. Meat(beef, sheep, pork and chicken) was on the menu every single day of my life when growing up. Now when I think back, I was forced to participate in the meat eating. I refused to eat the horse. It dawned on me when I was made to clean the garage afterwards what happened although I was young. I sat at the dining table for around 5 hours refusing to eat. Then I was scolded and sent to bed. But I would not eat the horse meat. I saw the horse before he was slaughtered and I kept remembering him. The smell of cooked horse meat was grotesque to me also.
2. In this community, you couldn’t get a word in edgewise about NOT EATING MEAT AND KILLING WAS BAD KARMA. Somehow as Buddhists, they felt if it was for food, then it was ok. Their understanding of Buddhism was more surface level. Like Sunday Christians of a sort and I don’t mean this as an insult. I have not met one single vegetarian Mongol in that community when I was growing up. Although they are very devout Buddhists. There were no debates at our dinner table about meat or anything. They were right and I was a child and I could not talk back. It was their way or the highway. Later I chose the highway and left at 15 to California permanently. But that is another story and not related to meat.
3. Even in the Tibetan monasteries, up till about 10 years ago, meat was served to all the monks to eat as community. So during and after prayers there would be breaks where lunch/dinner was served. And meat was offered. You would see piles of gnawed bones piled up inside the prayer hall which to me was a awful sight. Seeing monks chew on bones was really awful. I debated with some of the older monks respectfully, but it got nowhere. Finally later, HH Dalai Lama ordered no more meat in the prayer halls. Only vegetarian meals can be offered in the monasteries. Boy, was I very happy. Many visitors complained to HH Dalai Lama at the grisly sight of meat in the temple and it was banned.
4. It TOUCHES ME DEEPLY to know because of my blog you have become vegetarian since July 1st, 2013. You are now not a part of the problem but the solution is right! This is really wonderful, very wonderful and incredible news. I Thank you from the depths of my heart and my soul for letting me know my blog has had an effect on you. It has educated you on the sufferings of animals. No matter what religion we belong to, let’s use our eyes and heart to understand the sufferings of animals or to know something is right or wrong. Over time, sometimes men can write or re-write things for their own greed, passion, anger, or whatever to suit themselves and pass this down as holy or sanctified. We have to overcome our own desires and greed to get to the truth and stop something that is harmful regardless of what we are taught. Being religious doesn’t mean eating animals or allowing them to be slaughtered no matter what religion we are or no religion.
I will continue to find examples of the wrongs of killing animals. I will continue to highlight the virtues of not eating or harming animals.
This is very strong in me. I do not mean to put down or disrespect the thoughts of others, but to highlight not giving pain to animals.
I hope you will do something in this regards too. I hope you will start up something maybe “Christians for vegetarianism?” Maybe more research, facebook page or even better, blogsite on this to help other Christians to understand. Or even to help others to understand and one category can be about Christians not eating meat? Just random thoughts. I just wish more will create more awareness.
The community I grew up in adored meat. The community I ‘started’ in Kechara, most of the people ate and loved meat. Now many have given up meat due to my educating them on the pains animals go through. They are kind to give up meat. They have remained healthy and light without meat.
Many around the world have written telling me they are giving up meat, have given up or reduced meat due to this blog. I am so humbled by this. I thank everyone. I thank them on behalf of myself and all the animals who cannot speak up.
I thank you and everyone else who have the courage to stand up and say you will not be allowing the harm to animals any further. It is a lonely and difficult journey, but it has to be done. Just because there is a crowd doing something doesn’t mean it is right.
Thank you for your sharing. I am so happy to read it and will share with others.
Tsem Rinpoche
when i look back on my vegetarian journey, it is also Rinpoche’s website (kechara.com) which made me to decide to become vegetarian overnight.
yes, we should be part of the solution, not the problem…
i like how Rinpoche wrote it that you “choose the highway”… it is really witty.. LOL
Thank you Karmavore for sharing. We were born to think, unfortunately along the way, some of us lost out thinking hats. Think more, eat less. 🙂
Dear Rinpoche,
The original article above is interesting but this reply is even more interesting. Who would have thought that the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries used to serve meat at the dining table! I am shocked! It will certainly make me rethink and question more. Thank you so much.
The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than the known?
But then again, the unknown is sometimes worse than the known. In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
So go pursue all the way with the unknown,
because all unknown with familiarity becomes the known.
~Tsem Rinpoche
Dear Choongs – some would argue that Tibetan Monks consume meat due to the harsh terrain and adverse weather conditions. It may also be argued that the meat they consumed are “pure meat”, meaning the meat of animals that die naturally. I would like to share this with you. http://www.shabkar.org/download/pdf/Shabkar_Food_of_Bodhisattvas_Introduction.pdf
Thank you for sharing Keng Nam. I have printed it out and will be “digesting” it. 🙂
And for all the animals:
TAYATHA OM BEKANZE BEKANZE MAHA BEKANZE BEKANZE RANDZA SAMUGATHE SOHA
Dear Karmavore,Thank you for you compassionate decision to be vegetarian. It is so comforting to know that one less person is eating meat out there. I personally is a student of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and because of his precious teaching, i have turned vegetarian for 4-5 mths now. It is extremely heart wrenching that animals get slaughtered for our own eating desire. Pls continue your kindness towards animals and help spread vegetarianism. And thank you for sharing your story. Much Love – Ashlee.
I’m very surprised that vegetarianism was so important at that time, it was so important that people only ate bread to fill their stomachs. Personally, I think that religions that do not teach us to kill are pure religions, but of course that’s just my perspective. Jesus has shown his followers that pure beings will not kill for the sake of their taste buds. Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
This is most interesting. I often wonder how much of the truth is often distorted through time, man’s own desires and greed and even purely to manipulate situations for one’s own benefit.
I do like that in this day and age, the ‘truth’ often turns up unexpectedly and it is harder to hide it. However, being devil’s advocate. it is also easier to mask! hehehe
Thank you for the sharing Rinpoche.
The person who wrote this did an in dept search for the truth. But this research only prove the theory that a true enlighten being would display pure compassion for all living beings who dwells on earth.
Being a Vegetarian is the ultimate display of such a nature….
Dear Rinpoche, It is interesting to see that Christians at one point were vegetarian because they dislike animal cruelty and eat bread instead. I think that vegetarianism should be in effect in every religion. God created animals not for humans to harm them but to love them as one and the same.
Dear Rinpoche,
WOW!!! I never knew that there were Christians at that time who were vegetarian because I thought that int he old times meat was the key food that many people depended on to survive but I never knew that there were people last time who detested animal cruelty and only ate bread.
I have to admit I was really surprised to have read the first part of the story!
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing!
Love
Jutika